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Happy New Year and best wishes for much hope, happiness and peace in 2014! It is hard to believe another year has gone by. This last year has been a BIG year for me. I feel I have healed tremendously, evident by the fact I joyously made it through the holiday season and mostly remained in great spirits without the usual break down from missing Brooke. I felt her presence as always and of course I proudly decorated the house for the holidays with many things that reminded me of her. The Christmas tree was filled with ornaments the kids made over the years and the house was lit up brightly...

A week ago today, the kids and I were going about a normal Friday evening, I had not followed the weather forecast, but I did happen to notice the sky had grown dark and a storm was moving in. The tornado sirens began to roar and a piercing alert came across my cell phone indicating a tornado warning was in effect. Thank God for all the warnings; there is no doubt these alerts saved the lives of many. Immediately, we went to the basement, but then I realized I needed to pull the car in as they were calling for possible hail. I left Paige downstairs with Blake and rushed off to the garage. As...

The loss of a child is beyond comprehension for those who have not experienced it; no words can adequately describe the pain and agony that tears through your body. Most parents consider the possible death of their child as the worst fate imaginable; however, unless they are faced with the unfortunate circumstances personally, it is impossible to fully understand. Outside of those who have experienced it, many have no idea how common loss of a child actually is. Before losing my daughter, I was completely unaware of the vast number of bereaved parents all around me—from my own backyard to...

Inevitably throughout our life we will encounter hardship, situations that will test both our strength and faith. Despite what challenges we are faced with, we have within us everything we need to survive and overcome these obstacles. Life isn’t always easy, but our pain fuels our growth. Hardship is merely a means to learn and grow. Every day is an awakening on our journey. It is my hope that through my journey, others suffering from grief or struggling with difficult times will realize that faith in God will give them the strength and courage to overcome life’s adversities and grow...

Dear Paige, I am not even sure where to start my letter to you. In so few years you have endured more in your life than most can imagine. Yet despite it all, you are happier than ever and always remain positive. Thank you for always being such a trooper. When I learned I was pregnant, I knew right away that you were a part of God’s plan for my life. Something deep in my soul told me I needed to have another child. Strangely I feared that something could happen to Blake or Brooke and I knew I didn’t want either of them to be an only child. Daddy and I weren’t getting along and our...

Dear Blake: Blake it is hard for me to believe you will be turning eighteen in just a few months. I see it as the end of your childhood years, but I know you feel as if your childhood ended that tragic day in Costa Rica in 2009. You were only fourteen years old and stepped up to lead our family when your father and I were broken and frail, barely able to survive. Thank you for that Buddy, you were wonderful. I only wish it hadn’t cost you what it did. I am terribly sorry. I think back on all the wonderful memories of your younger years, all the fun, love and laughter— it...